Nancy recently attended a meeting on the Wahta Mohawk reserve, in their beautiful community building. This was the first time she's had the opportunity to be inside that structure -- not realizing that you can just drop by without having to attend a meeting there! Located on Hwy 38, just before you reach Bala, anyone traveling from Bondi to the Cranberry Festival on the Wahta land the weekend after Thanksgiving will pass this structure.
Loosely designed after a traditional Iroquoian Longhouse, it is positioned on an east/west axis, typical of the longhouse orientations. The long barreled roof represents the bowed poles in the bark covered structures, and a circular council room with a symbolic smoke hole also speaks to the Iroquois traditions. The floor features a design based on the motif of the Five Nations wampum belt in the central gallery and the Peace Tree motif in the multipurpose room. It is a truly lovely building.
As part of the meeting, the "Singing Birds" performed a drum circle song for us, and Nancy met Shirley Hay, a Wahta Mohawk, whose native name is Tekahentakwa ( she who picks up the field). Shirley was a member of the Kanenhi:io Singers, a group of four ladies from different First Nations who have traveled the world, carrying the message of peace with their voices and their drums. Kanenhi:io means "the good seeds".
If you are at Wahta, drop by the Oka smokeshop (Oka means "another" -- there are 11 smokeshops on the Wahta land) and pick up a copy of their CD, Akwekon Skennen.
Then stop by the Roads store, and say hello to Phoebe, who runs it. She has an astonishing collection of moccasins, sweaters, hats, drums, loon whistles and a huge friendly cat called Rudy (because, she says, he can be quite Rude)
Remember to say Nia:we. It means 'thank you.'
No comments:
Post a Comment